Artículo

Froome plays down Thomas battle for Sky supremacy

Chris Froome insists there is no rivalry between himself and Team Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas.

Reigning champion Froome and Thomas are both in contention at the Tour de France, but the latter is leading the way for Sky in second place.

However, Froome, who has won the last three Grand Tours, is happy to see how the race pans out before worrying about who will be the team's leader in the latter stages.

"The race will decide that," Froome told reporters on the race's first rest day. "For us, it's fantastic to have the options to play with.

"Movistar are here with three leaders. For one GC guy to cover all three is very difficult so this gives us options. That's a great place for us to be in and Geraint is right up there with the other GC guys.

"It's for those teams to attack us. Geraint is riding great and that puts us in a great place."

Thomas has never won a Grand Tour, while Froome has six titles in total - including four in France - and remains optimistic of his chances after a chaotic stage nine on the cobbles on which the defending champion suffered a crash.

"There were a lot of crashes [on Sunday]. I went down but I'm not injured at all," Froome said.

"Some guys did come down hard yesterday, though, and it will be interesting to see, once we get into the mountains, how much of a part that has to play to play.

"I'm great. I'm right where I wanted to be coming into the race, bar losing time on the very first stage. I'm optimistic about the rest of the race."